Car-starter



(No Mpdel.) u

" F,- DAWSON,

v G3, Starter;

"No. 239,736. Patented-April 5,1881.

'LFETERS, PNDTO-UTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. Dv C.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK DAWSON, OF WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

CAR-STA RTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 1Y0. 239,736, dated April 5, 1881, Application filed August 19, 1880. (No model.)

a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,,which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in car-starters; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth, and pointed out by the claim.

In the annexed drawings, Figure l is a bottom-plan view. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section, and Fig. 3 is a detail. v

A represents the platform, B the wheels, and U the axles, of the car.

To the under side of the platform A are secured the staples a a, which support the bar D. This bar D slides in the staples, and has at one end the whiffletree b, and is provided at the other with an eye, 0.

To the forward axle is secured a ratchetwheel, E, made in two parts, each part having an extension, 6, through which are passed the boltsf, whereby the same are held in position.

F is a casing, madein two parts and bolted together around the ratchet-wheel E, for the purpose of excluding dust, dirt, &c.

G is a lever-pawl, pivoted between two ears, 9, on the casing, one end of which engages with the ratchet-wheel E, and the free end being provided with a weight, H.

To the weighted end of the lever-pawl is attached a rope or chain, h, in any desired manher, said rope or chain passing from thence over a pulley, 'i, on the under side of the platform, and secured to the draw-bar D.

Upon the casing F is secured a catch, j, which engages with a stop,.k, on the platform, and prex'ents the casin g from revolving more than a certain distance backward, said stop being operated by lever l. This lever Z is pivoted between the ears and the top of the platform, its lower end extending through the platform, and provided with an eccentric, which, when the lever-arm is depressed, operates the stop k.

The power being placed on the whiffletree b, the draw-bar is drawn forward, which, by means of the chain, raises the weighted end of the lever-pawl, causing the other end tov engage with the ratchet-wheel E, and as the draft continues will turn the wheels before the full weight of the load is felt by the horses, and the car started without the jerking and straining of horses now attending the starting of load ed cars. When the drawing ceases the weight upon the lever-pawl will cause it to drop into its first position ready for a repetition of the operation.

Having thus fully described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- The platform A, wheels B, axles O, and ratchet-wheel E, made in two parts, secured to the forward axle, as shown, and provided with a suitable casing to exclude dust, &c., in combination with the weighted operatingpawl H, substantially as described.

In testimony that- I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK DAWSON.

Witnesses E. ANDREWS, J AS. M. W001). 

